GULEND Introduction

Introduction

Welcome to my introduction to GULEND! I’m Melody Schwenk, and I’m a PhD student in in Educational Neurooscience at Gallaudet University. I’m passionate about using technology to understand and improve access for Deaf people. In this introduction, I’ll give you a brief overview of my research interests and goals as well as who I am as a human.

The World Through My Shoes 🌍👟

Who needs a plane ticket when you can globetrot with me virtually? From the canals of Venice to the bustling streets of Tokyo, I’ve made footprints all over. The map below paints my international escapades in a shade of dreamy teal. Let your wanderlust roam!

Coast to Coast: My American Dream 🇺🇸✨

The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave… and quite a few of my travel tales! Charting my journey across the United States, this map splashes the states I’ve explored in a rosy hue. From sunny Californian beaches to the historic streets of Massachusetts, here’s a peek into my American adventures.

My Never-ending School Saga!

From the age of three, I’ve been hitting the books and chasing degrees. Now at 31, some might say I’m “over-educated” or perhaps just a professional student. But hey, who’s counting? Dive into my educational odyssey below, where the school names speak volumes and the years tell tales!

My Academic Show and Tell!

Every academic has their milestones, but have you seen mine? I’ve been scribbling away, talking shop, and putting my best foot forward in the world of research. Without being too modest (if I do say so myself), check out my not-so-humble-brags below! If they seem like a lot, well… that’s because they are. 😉 Dive in and see for yourself!My Academic Contributions Over Time

Rolling Out the Red Carpet for My Academic Achievements 📜🔍

Go on, select from the dropdown menu and bask in the glow of my ever-growing list of publications, talks, and presentations. The sheer volume might just… overwhelm you (but in a good way, I promise). Prepare to be amazed (and possibly a tad bit jealous)!

Choose a category:

Publications Talks Presentations

Journey Through Recognition

Embarking on an academic and professional path is both challenging and rewarding. This beeswarm plot illuminates the cascade of awards and research support I’ve been honored with over the years. Each dot, while representing an achievement, is also a testament to the journey, passion, and dedication to my craft.

🎬 Lights, Camera, Action! 📸

Ah, the fascinating world of media! It’s always a surreal moment when your work captures the spotlight. From scholarly pieces to news articles, here’s where my academic journey got a little bit of media love.

News Articles

Date	Title & Link
August 3, 2023	Seven Gallaudet Students Dive into Language Research at Summer Institute in Sweden
January 24, 2022	Kicking off 2022 with two publications from VL2

My Unique Skills & Hobbies Chart

The following interactive chart presents a whimsical take on the hobbies and unique skills I’ve developed over the years. Each dot represents a hobby or skill, with its position determined by the time I’ve spent on it and my proficiency in it.

• X-axis (Time Spent): This represents the average minutes per day I’ve dedicated to each hobby.
• Y-axis (Proficiency): This is my self-rated proficiency level, where 1 indicates I’m a novice and 7 means I consider myself an expert.
• Color Gradient: Hobbies where I’m closer to being a novice are in a light pink shade, while those where I’m an expert are in light blue.
• Interactive Feature: Hover over each dot to see a description of the hobby or skill it represents.
  This will give you a lighthearted insight into my day-to-day activities and quirks!
  Now, dive in and explore! Don’t forget to hover over each dot for a delightful description.

My Personal Word Cloud: A ‘Lover’ Inspired Palette

Delve into this whimsical visualization that captures words and phrases emblematic of my personality, hobbies, and unique quirks. Each term in the cloud unveils a facet of my identity, with its size chosen at random to sprinkle an element of surprise and spontaneity.

Size of the Word: Words appear in varied sizes, not necessarily denoting importance, but rather to create a dynamic and playful visual experience. Color Palette: Drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift’s vibrant ‘Lover’ album, the hues range from soft peach to dreamy blue, capturing the essence of the album’s romantic and eclectic mood. Dive Deeper: As you explore, each word weaves a narrative. While some might be universally relatable, others hold personal significance, echoing tales of my adventures and memories. Step into this kaleidoscopic word cloud and immerse yourself in a world of color and words, reminiscent of the ‘Lover’ era vibes!

Bookshelf of Favorites

Prepare to take a rollercoaster ride through my ‘Bookshelf of Favorites.’ It’s a collection of literary gems that have left me both enlightened and bewildered! From ‘The Little Prince,’ which I’ve read more times than I’d care to admit, to ‘The Alchemist’ that I quote at dinner parties to seem profound, and ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,’ because who doesn’t love talking about magical creatures?

But wait, there’s more! Dive into the land of movies with classics like ‘Titanic’ and ‘Legally Blonde.’ Because who doesn’t secretly love a cheesy rom-com or a tragic love story? And as for the songs, well, let’s just say my taste in music ranges from ‘At Last’ to ‘Happier Than Ever’—I’m either feeling nostalgic or attempting to be cool.

So, get ready to discover my peculiar taste in art, film, and music. Spoiler alert: it’s as confusing as trying to understand a David Lynch movie! Join me in this delightful exploration of my favorite head-scratchers.